Should You Get Health Insurance for Your Dog?

You would never consider going without health insurance for your family but what about your dog?

Although many people think it is an unnecessary expense, health insurance for your pet could actually save you money and spare you from making a tough decision between the life of your dog and paying the bills, should a serious health issue arise.

Just like everything else today, Veterinary costs have skyrocketed. When you do not have insurance, you must pay for every visit, whether they are routine or an emergency. This could run into thousands of dollars, so why not get some help?

Just like personal health insurance, health insurance for your dog has annual premiums and, of course, a deductible. The premium price depends on the dog breed and type of policy. If you have more than one pet, you can usually get a discount on each one.

As with the premium, the deductibles vary. Typically it is around $100 a year. There are many policies to choose from, which are based on your dog’s age, breed, lifestyle and pre-existing conditions.

There is a dog health plan to please almost everyone. Some plans cover just about everything, from annual checkups to vaccinations, spaying, neutering and any medications as well as any sickness and, of course, accidents. These policies will be the most costly.

If you can handle the yearly costs of a healthy dog and just want something in case your dog becomes injured or sick, you can get a policy that will cover just these occasions.

Getting a new health insurance policy for your dog is similar to getting one for yourself. Emergency coverage begins as soon as you sign up with your first payment and there is a 30 day waiting period for illness and other routine claims.

When considering health insurance for your dog, be aware that his age will affect the coverage. Most policies cover the dog starting at six weeks of age. On the other hand, you may not be able to get initial coverage for your dog if she is more than eight years old. Once your dog is covered, however, she will be able to retain coverage past eight years of age.

Getting health insurance for your dog should be a serious consideration for any pet owner. Think of it as the normal expense for having your pet. It's well worth it and it will set your mind at ease to know that should your dog need expensive medical treatment to save his life - you will be covered.

Until next time,

Teia

Extra Things to Remember to Keep Dogs Healthy During the Summer

This posting is an addendum to the last posting on dog health. Since there are extra dangers in the summer, I thought I should remind you of them.

Dogs are wonderful additions to a family and are often treated as well as human family members. They become your best friend, companion, or even your furry child. Learning how to care for these beloved pets, especially during the summer's heat, is imperative to their good health and to lowering your veterinary bills.

Keep your dogs hydrated. Dogs can easily become dehydrated during the warm weather and it will happen more quickly depending on the thickness of their fur. Keep the water bowl in a visible place, such as the kitchen, so every family member will remember to check its fullness during the course of the day. If you are out walking, pack a cold water bottle just for your dog and stop often to encourage your dog to drink.

Every vet will encourage dog owners to take dogs for a walk to ensure good health, strengthen their bones, and help keep their nails trimmed, but use common sense during the summer. Shorten the length of your walk or break up a long walk into two shorter sessions especially if the temperature goes above 28 degrees Celsius ( 83 degrees Fahrenheit).

Be aware of the outside temperature and humidity. If you feel hot, do not forget that your beloved “Fido” is walking with a fur coat and will overheat easily. Walking in the early morning or late evening hours, when the sun is low in the sky, will often help keep dogs cooler.

Walk close to your house, so if you sense your dog is having problems you can turn around or call for help. Hiking paths and paved trails are wonderful resources but you will be stuck if your dog collapses in the middle of a trail that doesn't allow cars.

Take your dog's age and overall health into consideration when planning activities outdoors. Older dogs will tire and dehydrate more easily than younger dogs and these changes can appear without warning. Dogs can also develop seasonal allergies which can, in turn, affect their breathing ability, so keep a close watch on older dogs that seem to pant excessively.

Check for ticks daily. Ticks are small hard bodied insects that often carry Lyme's Disease and other tick borne illnesses. These insects are prevalent during the warm weather months in wooded areas or yards with tall grass and if they come in contact with your pet, they will bite the animal and make their way into your home. Obviously, ticks are more difficult to find on dogs with thick fur so really dig your fingers in to feel them and remove them as previously mentioned.

Do not leave any dogs in a locked car. Even with open windows, cars can heat to more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit very quickly, which can cause severe trouble or even death for any pet. Note that the temperature inside a parked car will quickly reach more than one and one half times the temperature outside the car. So on a day when the temperature is 80 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature inside a parked car will be in excess of 120 degrees.

Using your common sense with your dog during the summer will eliminate emergency visits to the vet and will eliminate any stress your dog may feel, making for a much happier family life.

Until next time

Teia

First Aid Kits for Horses

A first aid kit for your horse is essential to have if you go for a lot of rides in the woods or on trails. By keeping some basic supplies on hand and having some basic knowledge, you can give your horse the care it needs when it needs it. But remember, your veterinarian should always be consulted if your horse needs medical care.

There are many types of first aid kits on the market, but it is unlikely you'll find one specifically for horses, so you will likely have to modify one that you buy, or build your own from scratch. Either way, make sure it contains the basics and put it in a place that is easily seen.

First of all, it is important to have some antibiotic cream. Usually any triple antibiotic cream will work. Some horses tend to get scratched, especially on trail rides or walking next to fences. Obviously this antibiotic cream should only be applied to small scratches. Make sure you keep it away from your horse’s eyes. For larger scratches, a veterinarian will likely need to suture them closed and put the horse on injectable antibiotics.

You will also need bandaging equipment. Vetwrap, tefla pads and medical porous tape are a good start. Make sure you buy the largest tefla pads you can find. These might be hard to find, but an army supply store usually has large field bandages that are a good size for a horse. Also, you'll need scissors to cut these bandages.

Antiseptic ointments or creams are also another must for a basic kit. It is always best to clean and apply antiseptic to wounds prior to applying antibiotic cream and bandaging them. Your veterinarian can advise you about the best ones to buy.

For long trail rides, it is usually good to prepare for occasional bee stings. Usually your veterinarian will provide you with some antihistamine if your horse is allergic to bee stings.

To round out your emergency kit, it is also a good idea to have towels, hoof trimmers, a hoof pick and a knife. A wire cutter is also a must in case your horse gets tangled in a fence.

By keeping some basic emergency supplies in a first aid kit, you can rapidly attend to your horse’s needs. Contact your veterinarian and he or she might be able to give you specific medication for your horse. For example if your horse is prone to allergies he can give you the medication to keep with you on trail rides.

Put all of your supplies in a plastic box or rucksack and remember to keep it in a highly visible place. Before starting out on your trail ride, transfer your supplies to your saddle bags so that you can take them with you. You don't want to be in an emergency and not know where your emergency kit is, the one you put all your hard work into creating.

Until next time,

Teia